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Sanitary Valve VS Ordinary Valve:What’s The Difference?

    Sanitary Valve VS Ordinary Valve, What’s the Difference? When fluid control systems and product purity are important to you, standard valves simply won’t cut it. That’s where the critical choice between sanitary and general valves comes in. Understanding the difference ensures optimal performance to protect your network of stainless steel pipes and stainless steel pipe fittings.

    What's the Difference? Sanitary Valve VS Ordinary Valve!

    • Ordinary valves control the flow of fluids and are designed to give priority to general industrial use. It may have internal crevices which trap media.
    • Sanitary valves are designed for hygiene and are designed to prevent contamination and facilitate cleaning. Well suited for use in sensitive industries.

    Sanitary Valves : What Makes Them Important?

    Sanitary valves have smooth, polished surfaces with no internal crevices, making bacteria less likely to grow. Minimizes product buildup.

    It is designed to support automatic cleaning (Clean In Place/Steam In Place). This saves time and resources and greatly improves operational efficiency.

    Materials are typically 316L stainless steel for corrosion resistance. This also applies to food, beverage and pharmaceutical production.

    Many industries require sanitary design, including 3-A sanitary standards. Compliance avoids costly penalties and gives you market access to your products.

    Easier cleaning means faster changeovers, which means maximizing production time.

    Design and Material: Sanitary Valve VS Ordinary Valve

    Design Comparison

    FeatureSanitary ValveOrdinary Valve
    Internal SurfaceSmooth, polished (low Ra)Rougher, cast finish
    Crevices/PocketsMinimized, eliminatedCommon, can trap media
    DrainabilitySelf-draining, no dead legsVariable, not prioritized
    ConnectionsSanitary Clamps, butt-weld fittingsFlanges, threaded fittings
    CleanabilityDesigned for CIP/SIPManual cleaning, dismantling
    Material ContactHigh-grade SS (316L), compliant sealsVarious materials, often less pure

    Common Materials for Sanitary Valves

    Material GradeKey BenefitTypical Use Case
    304L Stainless SteelGood corrosion, cost-effectiveDairy, basic food processing
    316L Stainless SteelEnhanced corrosion, weldability for purityPharma, biotech, chemicals
    Specialty AlloysExtreme resistance, ultra-pure processesAggressive media, unique demands
    EPDM / PTFE SealsBiocompatible, chemical resistantCritical sealing for purity

    Application Suitability: Valve Types

    Industry / ApplicationSanitary Valve PreferredOrdinary Valve Preferred
    Food & BeverageProduct contact lines, processingUtility lines, non-product systems
    PharmaceuticalAll process lines, sterile transferHVAC, water treatment (non-process)
    BiotechnologyBioreactors, fermentation systemsGeneral plant utilities
    CosmeticsProduct mixing, fillingHVAC, general water lines
    Chemical ProcessingHigh-purity chemicals, specific processesStandard chemical handling, utilities

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